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National historic landmarks are significant because they illustrate the heritage of our country, to paraphrase the National Park Service. Today, there are fewer than 2,500 protected landmarks. What makes our monuments stand out is that they have meaning to all Americans, not just people of a certain age or background.

The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas

The Alamo, known originally as Misión San Antonio de Valero was founded for the purpose of converting Native Americans to Catholicism. By the end of the 1700s, Spanish officials secularized the compound and left it to the Native Americans who lived there. At the turn of the 19th century, the Mexican Army took refuge in the old mission and gave it the name Alamo in recognition of their hometown Alamo de Parras in Coahuila. The Mexicans remained at the Alamo until the Texas Revolution. The Alamo secured its legendary status in 1836 when the battle between the Texan army and Mexican militia fought for control of the compound and, by extension, the sovereignty of Texas. Although the Mexican army defeated the Texian Army, they retreated from Texas and destroyed much of the Alamo compound. In 1905 the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) became permanent custodians of the Alamo. Restorations finally began in 1912. Despite efforts to give control of the Alamo to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, in 1994, governor George W. Bush promised to veto a bill attempting to remove authority from the DRT. Today, the Alamo sits on 4.2 acres and hosts more than 2.5 million tourists each year. Three buildings, the Shrine, Long Barrack and Museum and Gift Museum, feature historical artifacts from the battle at the Alamo and the Texas Revolution. The Alamo 300 Alamo Plaza San Antonio, Texas 78205 210-225-1391 ext 31 thealamo.org

Tombstone, Arizona

According to the National Historic Landmarks Program, Tombstone, Arizona, is one of the best-preserved frontier towns of the late 1800s. Ed Schieffelin came to Cochise County in Arizona as a silver prospector. The town got its name, according to the tale, when Schieffelin told a soldier about his mining intentions and the man replied that the only rock he would uncover would be his own tombstone. The town was christened Tombstone in 1879. Tombstone did in fact yield great quantities of minerals and multiplied its population by about 15 times. Tombstone was home to one of the most popular silver rushes, but its popularity will always be linked to the 30-second gunfight at the OK Corral on Oct. 26, 1881. In the gun battle, Wyatt Earp, his two brothers and Doc Holliday were all deputized lawmen. A drunken argument that began the evening before, between a clan of cowboys headed by Ike Clanton, led to the deadly confrontation at the OK Corral, which left three of the cowboys dead and Earp unscathed but charged with murder. “Tombstone epitomizes the legendary reputation of the Wild West and lawlessness of the 19th century mining camps,” writes the National Historic Landmarks Program. Today, Tombstone draws about 500,000 visitors each year, according to Preserve America Community. Schieffelin Hall, once a meeting place, opera house and Masonic lodge, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tombstone 888-457-3929 cityoftombstone.com

Hoover Dam, Boulder City, Nevada

Construction of the Hoover Dam began during the Great Depression in June 1933 and concluded two years ahead of schedule in September 1935. The National Historic Landmarks Program indicates that the Hoover Dam is one of the largest and earliest large-scale, multipurpose dams, providing electric power, flood control and water irrigation. The Hoover Dam is singularly responsible for increasing population and agricultural opportunity in the states of Nevada and Arizona, and 12 California municipalities including Los Angeles and Pasadena. The Hoover Dam is located in the Colorado River’s Black Canyon, straddling the border between Arizona and Nevada. Upon completion, the dam held the distinction of being the world’s largest structure, as well as the world’s largest hydroelectric power station. The Hoover Dam is named for the 31st president, Herbert Hoover, due to his efforts to get the monolith built. Hoover Dam 702-494-2517 usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/

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About the Author

Shannon Marks started her journalism career in 1994. She was a reporter at the "Beachcomber" in Rehoboth Beach, Del., and contributed to "Philadelphia Weekly." Marks also served as a research editor, reporter and contributing writer at lifestyle, travel and entertainment magazines in New York City. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in literature from Temple University.